U.S. patent application number 11/642464 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for separable electrical connector component having a voltage output branch and a direct access point.
This patent application is currently assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frank M. Stepniak.
Application Number | 20070141882 11/642464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37814457 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070141882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stepniak; Frank M. |
June 21, 2007 |
Separable electrical connector component having a voltage output
branch and a direct access point
Abstract
A separable electrical connector component generally including
an insulating housing, a current carrying element disposed within
the insulative housing and a voltage control device disposed within
the housing. The housing has a mid-section, a first insertion end
extending from the mid-section in a first direction, a second
insertion end extending from the mid-section in a second direction
opposite the first direction and a third section extending
outwardly from the mid-section between the first and second
insertion ends. The current carrying member extends through the
first insertion end, the mid-section and the second insertion end.
The voltage control device is disposed within the third section of
the housing and is in electrical communication with the current
carrying element.
Inventors: |
Stepniak; Frank M.; (Cape
May, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN & BARON, LLP
6900 JERICHO TURNPIKE
SYOSSET
NY
11791
US
|
Assignee: |
Thomas & Betts International,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37814457 |
Appl. No.: |
11/642464 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60752644 |
Dec 21, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01C 7/12 20130101; Y10S
439/921 20130101; H01G 4/12 20130101; H01R 13/53 20130101; G01R
15/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/187 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/53 20060101
H01R013/53 |
Claims
1. A separable electrical connector component comprising: an
insulative housing having a mid-section, a first insertion end
extending from said mid-section in a first direction, a second
insertion end extending from said mid-section in a second direction
opposite said first direction and a third section extending
outwardly from said mid-section between said first and second
insertion ends, said third section having a well formed therein for
receiving a voltage control device; and a current carrying member
disposed within said insulative housing and extending through said
first insertion end, said mid-section and said second insertion
end, said well being in communication with said current carrying
member.
2. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
1, further comprising a conductive fitting disposed at a bottom of
said well, said fitting being in electrical communication with said
current carrying member.
3. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
2, wherein said fitting includes a socket for electrically and
mechanically engaging a terminal of the voltage control device.
4. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
3, wherein said socket is internally threaded for engagement with
an externally threaded terminal of the voltage control device.
5. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
1, wherein said mid-section is a radially enlarged portion of said
housing and said first and second insertion ends are conically
tapered portions of said housing extending away from said
mid-section and are adapted for interference fit insertion in
respective mating connectors.
6. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
1, wherein said current carrying member comprises a first section
and a tubular section opposite said first section, said first
section extending in said first insertion end and terminating in a
threaded end, and said second section extending in said second
insertion end and having a central bore for receiving a conductive
probe.
7. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
1, further comprising a voltage control device interchangeably
received within said well of said housing third section, said
voltage control device being in electrical communication with said
current carrying member.
8. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
7, wherein said voltage control device is a voltage detection
device for detecting a voltage on said current carrying member.
9. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
8, wherein said voltage detection device comprises a capacitive
element in electrical communication with said current carrying
element for capacitively detecting a voltage on said current
carrying member.
10. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
9, wherein said voltage detection device further comprises a
terminal disposed at one end thereof and a voltage monitoring
output connector disposed at an opposite end thereof, said voltage
monitoring output connector being adapted to engage a mating
connector of a voltage sensing device.
11. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
9, wherein said voltage detection device further comprises an
impedance element for output signal conditioning.
12. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
7, wherein said voltage control device comprises a surge arrestor
in electrical communication with said current carrying member for
arresting a voltage surge in said current carrying member.
13. A separable electrical connector component comprising: an
insulative housing having a mid-section, a first insertion end
extending from said mid-section in a first direction, a second
insertion end extending from said mid-section in a second direction
opposite said first direction and a third section extending
outwardly from said mid-section between said first and second
insertion ends; a current carrying member disposed within said
insulative housing and extending through said first insertion end,
said mid-section and said second insertion end; and a voltage
control device disposed within said third housing section and being
in electrical communication with said current carrying member.
14. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
13, wherein said voltage control device is integrally molded within
said third section of said insulative housing.
15. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
13, wherein said mid-section is a radially enlarged portion of said
housing and said first and second insertion ends are conically
tapered portions of said housing extending away from said
mid-section and are adapted for interference fit insertion in
respective mating connectors.
16. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
13, wherein said current carrying member comprises a first section
and a tubular second section opposite said first section, said
first section extending in said first insertion end and terminating
in a threaded end and said second section extending in said second
insertion end and having a central bore for receiving a conductive
probe.
17. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
13, wherein said voltage control device is a voltage detection
device for detecting a voltage on said current carrying member.
18. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
17, wherein said voltage detection device comprises a capacitive
element integrally molded within said third section, said
capacitive element being in electrical communication with said
current carrying member for capacitively detecting a voltage on
said current carrying member.
19. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
18, wherein said voltage detection device further comprises a
terminal in electrical communication with said current carrying
member and a voltage monitoring output connector disposed opposite
said terminal, said voltage monitoring output connector being
adapted to engage a mating connector of a voltage sensing
device.
20. A separable electrical connector component as defined in claim
13, wherein said voltage control device comprises a voltage surge
arrestor integrally molded within said third section, said voltage
surge arrestor being in electrical communication with said current
carrying member for arresting a voltage surge in said current
carrying member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/752,644, filed on Dec. 21, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to electrical cable
connectors, and more particularly to an electrical connector
component which provides for ancillary access, such as for voltage
arresting and indirect voltage sensing, while maintaining a user
interface for direct voltage testing or grounding and which has
standard coupling or interface structure that permits separable
connection of the component to existing field installed electrical
cable connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Connections in medium-voltage underground power distribution
systems, such as between cables and transformers, are generally
accomplished with specially designed separable male and female
electrical connectors, such as loadbreak connectors and deadbreak
connectors. Such cable connectors, used in conjunction with 15, 25
and 35 kV systems, generally include a power cable elbow connector
and a bushing insert. The elbow connector has one end adapted for
receiving a power cable and another end adapted for receiving an
insertion end of the bushing insert. The opposite end of the
bushing insert, which extends outward from the elbow connector, may
in turn be received in a bushing well of a transformer, for
example.
[0004] Such elbow connectors typically comprise a conductor
surrounded by a semiconducting layer and an insulating layer, all
encased in a semiconductive outer shield. The end of the elbow
adapted for receiving the bushing insert generally includes a
conically tapered inner surface, which mates with a conically
tapered outer surface formed on the insertion end of the bushing
insert. When connected with a bushing insert, the conductor encased
in the elbow makes mechanical and electrical contact with a
conductor encased in the bushing insert. The elbow may further
include a cuff at its bushing receiving end for providing an
interference fit with a molded flange on the bushing insert. This
interference fit between the elbow cuff and the bushing insert
provides a moisture and dust seal therebetween.
[0005] Power distribution service personnel, whose function is to
monitor and control such underground power distribution systems,
often need to access the cables and connectors to facilitate
servicing and repairs. One of the first steps required in servicing
underground cable systems is to confirm that the circuit is
deenergized. This is done by directly accessing a conductor within
a connector and testing the voltage with a direct test probe. The
conductor is then grounded at both ends to prevent injury should
the cable system become accidentally energized. Finally, the cables
are removed from the switch or transformer bushings to achieve a
visible break between the cables and their respective bushings.
[0006] To accomplish the above voltage testing and grounding
procedures, a direct operating interface is provided in the
connector system to enable direct access to the conductor. Such
interface is typically in the form of a loadbreak reducing tap plug
having one end inserted in an elbow T-connector and having an open
opposite end providing a direct access point to a cable attached to
the T-connector, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,895.
When the cable system is energized, the open end of the tap plug is
covered with an insulating cap. When the open end is uncovered, a
direct test probe can be inserted therein to test the system
voltage and a grounding elbow connector can be subsequently coupled
thereto to ground the system.
[0007] It is also often desirable to perform ancillary functions on
the cable system without having to deenergize the system. Such
functions include active voltage sensing for circuit control and
voltage surge arresting for lightening protection. Conventional
devices for performing such functions typically consist of a
separable connector component which is insertable into an access
point of an existing connector. For example, existing voltage
sensing devices, such as the Elastimold K650BIP device, use a
resistor or capacitor divider network encapsulated in a basic
insulation plug. As such, these conventional devices "dead-end" or
terminate the access point preventing direct access to the
conductor without separation of the connector.
[0008] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a single
connector component, which permits both ancillary access to the
cable system, as well as direct user access for tapping, direct
voltage testing, grounding and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a separable electrical connector
component generally including an insulating housing and a current
carrying element disposed within the insulative housing. The
housing has a mid-section, a first insertion end extending from the
mid-section in a first direction, a second insertion end extending
from the mid-section in a second direction opposite the first
direction and a third section extending outwardly from the
mid-section between the first and second insertion ends. The
current carrying member extends through the first insertion end,
the mid-section and the second insertion end. The third section is
formed with a well for receiving a voltage control device. The
voltage control device is disposed within the third section of the
housing and is in electrical communication with the current
carrying element.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the mid-section is a radially
enlarged portion of the housing and the first and second insertion
ends are conically tapered portions of the housing extending away
from the mid-section and adapted for interference fit insertion in
respective mating connectors. The current carrying element
preferably includes a first section and a tubular second section.
The first section extends in the first insertion end and terminates
in a threaded end. The second section extends in the second
insertion end and has a central bore for receiving a conductive
probe.
[0011] The connector component may take the form of a voltage
testing device, wherein the voltage control device is a capacitive
element disposed in the third section. The capacitive element is in
electrical communication with the current carrying element for
capacitively detecting a voltage on the current carrying
element.
[0012] In another embodiment, the connector component may take the
form of a voltage arresting device, wherein the voltage control
device is a voltage surge arrestor disposed in the third section.
The voltage surge arrestor is in electrical communication with the
current carrying element for arresting a voltage surge in the
current carrying element.
[0013] A preferred form of the electrical connector component, as
well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this
invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description
of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of a
conventional power distribution cable connection to a piece of
equipment showing an apparatus bushing, an elbow T-connector, a
loadbreak reducing tap plug and a grounding elbow connector of the
prior art.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the separable electrical
connector component formed in accordance with the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the separable electrical connector
component formed in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the separable electrical
connector component formed in accordance with the present invention
in the form of a voltage sensing device.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the separable electrical
connector component formed in accordance with the present invention
in the form of a voltage arresting device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring first to FIG. 1, a conventional prior art
connection between a medium-voltage power distribution cable 10 and
a power distribution apparatus 12, such as a transformer, is shown.
An apparatus bushing or terminal 14 is provided on a face of the
apparatus 12 for connection with the cable 10 via an elbow
T-connector 16.
[0020] The power cable elbow T-connector 16 includes a first end 18
adapted for receiving the apparatus bushing 14, a second end 20
adapted for receiving a bushing tap plug 22 opposite the first end
and a third end 24 adapted for receiving the power cable 10 at the
bottom of the T-connector. The opposite first and second ends 18
and 20 include a flange or elbow cuff surrounding the open
receiving end thereof for sealing against a respective mating
bushing 14, 22.
[0021] The loadbreak reducing tap plug 22 seated in the second end
20 of the T-connector 16 provides an electrical connection between
the power cable 10 and the apparatus bushing 14, while at the same
time provides a direct access point to the cable. The loadbreak
reducing tap plug 22, also termed an interface bushing or bushing
insert, includes a mid-section 26 having a larger dimension than
the remainder of the tap plug. Extending in one direction from the
mid-section 26 is a conically tapered first section 28 which is
inserted into the power cable elbow T-connector 16. Extending in
the opposite direction from the mid-section 26 is a conically
tapered second section 30 which is adapted to be inserted into an
elbow connector 32, or a grounding elbow (not shown) upon
disconnection and grounding of the cable 10. An insulating cap (not
shown) covers the second section 30 of the tap plug 22 during
normal operating conditions.
[0022] As described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,202,591 and 4,799,895, the
specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference, the
loadbreak reducing tap plug 22 further includes a current carrying
member 34 for providing electrical connection between the cable 10
and the apparatus bushing 14. The current carrying member 34
includes a first section 36 extending within the first conical
section 28 of the tap plug 22, which mechanically and electrically
engages a terminal portion 38 of the cable 10. The first section 36
of the current carrying member 34 terminates at a threaded end 40,
which is adapted to be threaded into a mating threaded hole 42 of
the apparatus bushing 14. The conically tapered first end section
28 of the tap plug 22 having the threaded end first section 36 of
the current carrying member 34 is known in the art as a 600 A
deadbreak interface.
[0023] The current carrying member 34 of the tap plug 22 further
includes a second section 44, extending within the second conical
section 30 of the tap plug 22, adapted to provide a direct access
point to the cable conductor 10. The second section 44 of the
current carrying member 34 is tubular in structure and is adapted
to receive a probe 46 of the elbow connector 32, a probe of a
grounding elbow (not shown), or a direct voltage test probe (not
shown). The conically tapered second end section 30 of the tap plug
22 having the tubular second section 44 of the current carrying
member 34 is known in the art as a 200 A loadbreak interface.
[0024] The elbow connector 32 shown in FIG. 1 may be used to tap a
200 A current from the T-connector 10. However, as mentioned above,
a grounding elbow (not shown) may be connected to the 200 A
loadbreak interface of the tap plug 22 for disconnection and
grounding purposes.
[0025] The probe 46 of the elbow connector 32 is positioned within
a central opening of a bushing receiving end 48 of the elbow. The
probe 46 is in electrical communication with a tap cable 50 via a
connection element 52. The elbow connector 32 may include an
ancillary access point 54 for voltage sensing, surge arresting and
the like. FIG. 1 shows a conductive member 56 provided in the
insulative housing of the elbow connector 32, which forms a
capacitive coupling with the connection element 52 for voltage
testing. Access to the conductive member 56 is achieved by removing
an insulating cap 58 of the elbow connector 32.
[0026] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the present invention is a
separable connector component, which eliminates the need to attach
an additional connector component to perform such ancillary tasks
as active voltage sensing and surge arresting, while maintaining a
direct access point to the power cable 10. In particular, in the
preferred embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a
modified loadbreak reducing tap plug 60, which takes the place of a
conventional tap plug 22, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to provide a
safe access point into the power line without any retrofitting.
[0027] Thus, the connector component 60 of the present invention is
made generally similar in size and shape to a conventional
loadbreak reducing tap plug 22, as shown in FIG. 1, and is provided
with standard interfaces making it adapted to be connected in the
field to an existing elbow T-connector at one end and a
conventional elbow connector, grounding elbow, insulating cap or
test cap at its opposite end. Specifically, the connector component
60 includes a molded insulative housing 62 having an enlarged
mid-section 64 enclosed within a conductive shield 66. The
connector component 60 also has a conically tapered first section
68, which is adapted to be inserted into a conventional power cable
elbow T-connector 16. Extending in the opposite direction from the
mid-section 64 is a conically tapered second section 70, which is
adapted to be inserted into a conventional elbow connector 32 or
grounding elbow upon disconnection and grounding of the cable 10.
Like a conventional loadbreak reducing tap plug, the conical first
and second sections 68, 70 of the connector component 60 of the
present invention are sized and shaped to be interference-fit
within their respective mating connectors.
[0028] The connector component 60 further includes a current
carrying member or bus bar 72 centrally disposed within the first
section 68, mid-section 64 and second section 70. Again like a
conventional loadbreak reducing tap plug 22, the current carrying
member 72 includes a first section 74 extending within the first
conical section 68 of the connector component 60, which
mechanically and electrically engages a terminal portion 38 of the
cable 10. The first section 74 of the current carrying member 72
terminates at a threaded end 76, which is adapted to be threaded
into a mating treaded hole 42 of a conventional apparatus bushing
14.
[0029] The current carrying member 72 of the connector component 60
further includes a second section 78 adapted to provide a direct
access point to the cable conductor 10. Again like a conventional
loadbreak reducing tap plug 22, the second section 78 of the
current carrying member 72 is tubular in structure to provide a
typical pin and socket engagement of a 200 A interface.
Specifically, the second section 78 includes a central bore 77
formed therein, which is adapted to alternately receive, for
example, a direct voltage test probe and a probe 46 of a
conventional elbow connector 32. The first and second sections 74
and 78 are joined together in a conventional fashion so that
mechanical and electrical connection is provided at a junction 79
therebetween.
[0030] The connector component 60 of the present invention, as thus
far described, is similar to a conventional loadbreak reducing tap
plug 22. However, the connector component 60 of the present
invention further includes a third end section 80, termed a voltage
output branch, extending outwardly from the mid-section 64 between
the first and second sections 68 and 70. In particular, the
insulative housing 62 forming the connector component 60 is
generally T-shaped having the first and second sections 68 and 70
extending from the mid-section 64 in opposite directions and the
third section 80 extending from the mid-section perpendicular to
the first and second sections to form the bottom leg of the
T-shaped housing. Thus, in general terms, the connector component
60 of the present invention consists of a bus linking a 600 A
deadbreak interface to a 200 A loadbreak interface and having a
third interface for providing electrical communication with the
bus.
[0031] The third section 80 is preferably disposed centrally along
the mid-section 64 of the housing 62. Also, as will be described in
further detail below, the center line 82 of the third section 80
preferably intersects the junction 79 between the first and second
sections 74, 78 of the current carrying member 72. Moreover, the
mid-section 64 and the entire third section 80 are preferably
enclosed within the conductive shield 66.
[0032] The third section 80 is formed with a voltage control device
well 81, which, as will be described in further detail below, is
adapted to interchangeably receive a voltage control device 83. The
well 81 is preferably a bore or recess formed in the insulative
housing 62 coaxially with the center line 82 of the third section
and has a diameter and depth sufficient to receive a voltage
control device 83, as described further below.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, an electrically conductive
fitting 87 is fixed in the bottom 85 of the well 81. The well
fitting 87 can take various forms. The fitting 87 shown in the
drawings is an annular fitting radially surrounding the current
carrying member 72 at the junction 79 of the first and second
sections 74 and 78. The well fitting 87 is in electrical contact
with the current carrying member 72 and further includes a socket
89 adapted to receive an electrical end terminal of a voltage
control device. The socket 89 is preferably internally threaded for
cooperative mechanical and electrical engagement with the voltage
control device terminal.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the third section 80 of the
connector component 60 according to the present invention, with the
well 81 and conductive fitting 87 provided therein, provides
additional functionality to the connector not available with
conventional loadbreak reducing tap plugs. In particular, the third
section 80 of the connector component 60 is adapted to receive a
voltage control device 83 disposed therein to provide additional
functionality to the connector. For example, the connector
component 60a shown in FIG. 4 is designed as a voltage sensing
device. In this regard, the voltage control device 83 provided in
the well 81 is a capacitive element 84 encapsulated in the third
section 80 of the connector housing 62.
[0035] The capacitive element 84 can be provided in modular form
and pressed into the well 81 of the third section 80 after molding
of the housing 62. In this manner, the capacitive element 84 can be
subsequently interchanged with other voltage control devices 83.
Alternatively, the capacitive element 84 can be molded within the
well 81 of the third section 80 during molding of the insulative
housing 62. In this manner, the capacitive element 84 is integrally
molded with the housing 62.
[0036] In both embodiments, the capacitive element 84 is on one
side in electrical communication with the current carrying member
72 via the conductive fitting 87 and is provided on its opposite
side with a voltage monitoring output connector 86. As described
above, mechanical and electrical connection between the capacitive
element 84 and the conductive fitting 87 can be achieved, for
example, with a threaded terminal 88 provided at the end of the
capacitive element. Alternatively, the terminal 88 of the device
can be in direct electrical contact with the current carrying
member 72 without use of the conductive fitting 87.
[0037] The voltage monitoring output connector 86, on the opposite
side, is in turn adapted to be connected with a voltage sensing
device to monitor voltage in the system for circuit control. The
output connection 86 of the sensing device can be a low voltage
connector adapted to engage a mating connector of a voltage sensing
device, or the output connection may simply be in the form of loose
wires adapted for hard wire connection with a voltage sensing
device.
[0038] The capacitive element 84 can be in the form of a
replaceable cartridge or plug-in type assembly, which is inserted
in the well 81 of the housing third section 80. Various ceramic
capacitors of this type having a suitable capacitance, impedance
and resistance to permit accurate voltage monitoring are
commercially available. Such devices may also include active as
well as passive circuit elements for signal conditioning, such as
amplification or noise suppression, and may also include additional
contacts to control other devices at preset voltage levels as well.
As mentioned above, the capacitive element 84 may alternately take
the form of two electrodes 90 molded in close proximity directly
within the third section 80 of the housing 62 to form a capacitive
coupling therebetween.
[0039] The output of the capacitive element 84 is preferably
connected to an impedance element 92 (internal or external) to
establish a voltage divider network. The impedance element 92 can
be a passive device, such as a resistor or a capacitor, or the
impedance element can take the form of an active device, such as an
integrated circuit or amplifier, for output signal conditioning. In
either case, the impedance element is preferably set to calibrate
the desired output/input ratio.
[0040] As described above, conventional prior art devices that
perform this voltage sensing function are typically provided on a
600 A elbow T-connector, as opposed to a 200 A loadbreak reducing
tap plug. Voltage sensing can also be achieved by connecting a
conventional prior art 200 A elbow connector 32 to an installed 200
A loadbreak reducing tap plug. However, the connector component 60a
of the present invention incorporates the loadbreak tap to ease
utility system operation and reduce outage time.
[0041] As a result, the electrical connector component 60a, in the
form of a voltage sensing device provides an analog voltage output
proportional to the power system voltage. Whereas other voltage
sensing devices dead-end their mated connector, preventing access
to the conductor system, this device provides a loadbreak operating
interface allowing a tap, direct voltage test or ground point.
[0042] Turning to FIG. 5, another electrical connector component
60b, in the form of a voltage surge arresting device is shown. The
connector component 60b shown in FIG. 5 is identical in size and
shape to the component 60a shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the components
are interchangeable. However, here the voltage control device 83
encapsulated in the third section 80 is a voltage surge arrestor
94.
[0043] Specifically, the connector component 60b of FIG. 5 again
includes a molded insulative housing 62 having an enlarged
mid-section 64, a conically tapered first section 68, which is
adapted to be inserted into a conventional power cable elbow
T-connector, and a conically tapered second section 70 opposite the
first section, which is adapted to be inserted into a conventional
elbow connector 32. The connector component 60b further includes a
current carrying member 72 centrally disposed within the first
section 68, mid-section 64 and second section 70.
[0044] The current carrying member 72 includes a first section 74
extending within the first conical section 68 of the connector
component 60b and terminating at a threaded end 76, which
mechanically and electrically engages a terminal portion 38 of the
cable 10, as well as a mating treaded hole 42 of a conventional
apparatus bushing 14. The second section 78 of the current carrying
member 72 is tubular in structure to provide a typical pin and
socket engagement adapted to receive a probe 46 of a conventional
elbow connector 32.
[0045] Again, the connector component 60b of the present invention
further includes a third end section 80, extending outwardly from
the mid-section 64 between the first and second sections 68 and 70,
and a well 81 formed in the third section. However, in this case, a
voltage surge arrestor 94 is disposed within the well 81 of the
third section 80 of the T-shaped housing 62. Electrical contact
between the voltage surge arrestor 94 and the current carrying
member 72 is again achieved via the conductive fitting 87 disposed
at the bottom of the well and a threaded terminal 88 provided at
the end of the surge arrestor 94.
[0046] The voltage surge arrestor 94 is preferably a zinc-oxide
arrester block stack disposed between the bus 72 and ground. In
this regard, a ground lead 96 is preferably attached to an output
terminal 98 of the arrestor. The voltage class of the connector
component 60b would dictate the arrester rating. In other words,
the connector component 60b can accommodate a range of zinc-oxide
block stack lengths for the various ratings. Voltage surge
arrestors of this type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,012,
the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0047] As a result, the connector component 60b shown in FIG. 5
provides a deadfront arrester to a medium voltage utility system
with 600 A separable connectors without an intermediate device
while preserving the requirement for direct test and grounding. As
discussed above, voltage surge arresting is conventionally
accomplished with a combination of a loadbreak reducing tap plug
used with an elbow surge arrester to provide lightning protection
on a 600 A system. This invention performs this function with a
single integral unit. The advantages of this invention are: fewer
components to perform the arresting function; maintaining lightning
protection during test and grounding procedures and allowing a 200
A tap without removing the arrester.
[0048] The connector component 60 of the present invention can take
various forms and be adapted for connection to connectors with
various electrical ratings. In particular, it is readily apparent
that various other voltage control devices 83 can be interchanged
within the well 81 of the third section 80 of the housing 62. For
example, once the component 60 is installed in the field, a voltage
control device 83 fitted within the third section 80 of the housing
can be removed and replaced with a different voltage control
device, depending on the desired application.
[0049] Moreover, the described device 60 has a 600 A bushing
interface (15 kV/25 kV or 35 kV) on one side and a 200 A loadbreak
interface (15 kV, 25 kV or 35 kV) on the other for medium voltage
connection. However, depending on the need of an individual
application, either side can be fitted with a bushing, bushing
well, elbow or bushing interface, loadbreak or deadbreak.
[0050] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other
changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in
the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention.
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